Examining Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Substance Use Among a Sample of Canadian Veterans Working with Service Dogs

An Exploratory Patient- Oriented Longitudinal Study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22158243
AutoresLinzi Williamson (0000-0001-7515-5961, University of Saskatchewan, autor de correspondencia), Colleen Anne Dell (0000-0003-4216-1606, University of Saskatchewan), Nathaniel Osgood (0000-0002-3994-3298, University of Saskatchewan), Darlene Chalmers (0000-0003-2429-8801, University of Regina), Chris Lohnes (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), R Nicholas Carleton (0000-0002-6083-8935), Nicholas R Carleton (University of Regina), Gordon J G Asmundson (0000-0002-7886-4058, University of Regina)
Año2021
Volumen7
Número1
Páginas1-13
Fecha de publicación2021-02-08
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Veterans Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2470-4768 • E-ISSN: 2470-4768
EditorialVirginia Tech Libraries (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.21061/jvs.v7i1.194
OpenAlexW3132903243
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas12
Referencias citadas43

Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use (SU) is a growing health concern among Canadian veterans. Veterans are increasingly seeking symptom relief for PTSD and comorbid SU by engaging service dogs (SDs). Despite promising results, the efficacy of SDs in aiding veterans warrants further investigation. An exploratory patientoriented, longitudinal, time-series, mixed-methods research design was employed with a sample of five Canadian veterans matched with SDs from AUDEAMUS, Inc. PTSD and SU were measured at six time points over 1 year with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (PCL-5), Drug Use Screening Inventory Revised Substance Use Subscale (DUSI-R SU), and one-onone semi-structured interviews. There were clinically significant decreases in the veterans’ PTSD scores with the PCL-5. Interview content complemented these results. Veterans offered accounts of ways in which their SDs directly supported and helped manage their PTSD and related symptoms. While DUSI-R SU scale changes were non-significant, during interviews each veteran reported a decrease in their use of opioids and alcohol, while some reported an increase in their use of medical cannabis. However, veterans also highlighted ways in which their SDs sometimes contributed to increases in their PTSD and related symptoms, as well as their SU. This was particularly evident during the early stages of training and bonding. This study makes an important contribution to the emerging field examining the potential benefit of SDs for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Additionally, this study is novel in its identification of the SDs beneficial contributions to veterans’ comorbid problematic use of substances

Exploratory research · Longitudinal study · Military personnel · Posttraumatic stress · Psychiatry · Service member · Substance abuse · Substance use · Clinical Psychology · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Medicine · Pediatric Pain Management Techniques · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology